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ATLANTIC CITY - Dozens of local high school students were out in force along the Boardwalk on Saturday morning, helping to stabilize the sandy embankment along Maine Avenue by planting hundreds of plugs of beach grass.

The work was part of the first districtwide environmental project for the Rotary Club-sponsored Interact Club, with chapters in Atlantic City, Absegami, Mainland Regional and Vineland high schools, all of which sent representives to dig busily into the dirt and sand.

"We're planting the beach grass along the parkway in an effort to keep the place beautiful, but also to reduce erosion," said Joel Kopke, Interact chairman for the Atlantic City Rotary Club. "There's wind erosion and water erosion, and no matter where it is, it's important to keep soil in its place. The trees need protection around them to keep their roots solid, and the houses are buffered a little bit and the wind is kept back."

Several strands of beach grass are planted six inches deep, Kopke said, pointing to a healthy growth of grass, "and in four years, it's going to look like this."

Among those digging in were several students from Mainland, including Alaina Serno, of Northfield, and Christina Karakatsanis, Amber Molina and Samantha Grist, of Linwood.

Asked why she signed up with Interact, Michelle Malcolm, of Linwood, was honest.

"My dad's the head of it, so I kind of had to join," said Malcolm, a trowel in one hand. "But it's fun now. ... It's for beautification as well as erosion."

Bonnie Blarcom, with the Vineland Rotary Club, voiced a bit of dissent.

"It's not so fun," she said, "when the soil gets hard."

Some of Interact's other projects, Vineland sophomore Stephanie Druzakio said, include Pedals for Progress, a program to fix bicycles to make them smaller for use in commuting in developing countries, and Christmas parties for special-needs children.

There are 43 Interact clubs across southern New Jersey, Kopke said, consisting of about 4,000 students, and each sponsored by its local Rotary Club.

"Four thousand kids, all doing great things in the community," Kopke said. "It's just an amazing situation."

Contact Steven Lemongello:

609-272-7275

SLemongello@pressofac.com

2 comments:

• jmkopke (1) posts 9:59 am

  It's amazing to work with young people who either volunteer to help others or improve a situation they learn about. They are inspiring when they identify and become involved and committed to social projects many of us are not even aware exist. A few of Saturday’s young volunteers, besides their work locally, have also personally participated in international projects in places like an orphanage in Santo Domingo. Rotary’s mantra of “Service Above Self” is a commitment we take to heart. Introducing young people to this way of life starts them down a path toward a greater understanding and commitment to helping others in our local and international community. I am proud and honored as the Rotary District 7640 Chair for Interact to know them and work beside them. Rotary District 7640 encompasses the six counties in Southern New Jersey. With roughly 4,000 Interact students at 42 Interact Clubs based in high schools or in the community, these young are just another positive influence for their peers and the adults they encounter.

• UncleFrank (185) posts 4:08 pm

  Lower the dunes!

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